Sun signs are more commonly known as the zodiac in Western culture. They are known as sun signs in astrology because they refer to the location of the sun in relation to the zodiac as the Earth travels around it. The horoscope is based on the general characteristics associated with each sun sign.

Aries: The first sun sign encompasses the period of time from March 21 - April 19. Any person born during this time is considered to be an Aries. Aries is the first sign and as such Aries people are often selfish but they are also known for their courage. Some famous Aries are Joan Crawford, Elton John, Eddie Murphy, and Harry Houdini.

Taurus: The second sign starts April 20th and ends May 20th. A Taurus person is considered to be a collector of possessions and they are often considered dependable. They also tend to give to others by teaching, healing, or writing. Some famous Taurus are Sugar Ray Leonard, Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Gemini: The third sun sign encompasses the period of time from May 21 - June 20. A Gemini is considered to be a thoughtful and responsive person. They frequently try to force others to their point of view on issues. A few famous Gemini are: Clint Eastwood, John F Kennedy, Donald Trump, and Bob Dylan.

Cancer: The fourth sun sign starts June 21st and ends July 22nd. Cancer people are generally very loyal. They prefer the company of their family and people that they love. Some famous Cancers are Tom Cruise, Sylvester Stallone, Kris Kristofferson, and George Orwell.

Leo: The fifth sign encompasses the period of time from July 23 - August 22. A Leo is typically an exuberant person. They tend to dominate those around them as they take pleasure in all that life offers them. A few famous Leo are Dustin Hoffman, Mick Jagger, Madonna, and President Obama.

Virgo: The sixth sun sign starts Aug 23rd and ends Sept 22nd. Virgos are considered to be very conscientious people. They are hard workers and continuously research self-improvement topics. Some famous Virgos are Jesse James, Bob Newhart, Racquel Welch, and Agatha Christie.

Libra: The seventh sun sign is from Sept 23 - Oct 22. A Libra is a charming person who is happiest when they are with their partner. If a Libra has to be alone, they tend to lose their positive outlook on life. Some famous Libras are Michael Douglas, Julio Iglesias, Barbara Walters, and Sigourney Weaver.

Scorpio: The eighth sign encompasses the period of time from Oct 23 - Nov 21. Scorpios are considered to be idealists. They believe that they have a purpose in life and a destiny to fulfill. Some famous Scorpios are: Billy Graham, Grace Kelly, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Johnny Carson.

Sagittarius: The ninth sign starts Nov 22nd and ends Dec 21st. Sagittarius people tend to be very optimistic. They are at their best when they are traveling and learning new concepts. Some famous Sagittarius are Kirk Douglas, Jake Gyllenhaal, Brad Pitt, and Ozzy Osbourne.

Capricorn: The tenth sun sign is Dec 22 - Jan 19. A Capricorn is generally a steady person and they tend to gravitate towards careers that gain them approval from everyone around them. Some famous Capricorns are Martin Luther King Jr, Dame Maggie Smith, Al Capone, and Janis Joplin.

Aquarius: The eleventh sun sign encompasses the period of time from Jan 20th to Feb 18th. An Aquarius is considered to be friendly and idealistic. They are typically more concerned with the large issues of the world than their personal relationships. A few famous Aquarius are Christian Dior, Burt Reynolds, Ronald Reagan, and Christina Ricci.

Pisces: The twelfth sign is Feb 19 - Mar 20. Pisces tend to be very compassionate people. They lean towards the spiritual values tend to trust their own intuitions. Some famous Pisces are Liza Minnelli, Billy Crystal, Glenn Close, and Wyatt Earp.
 
Sun signs help to determine personal horoscopes because it is considered that they rule the general traits of people born under them. The sun signs also have many other traits associated with them that will be covered in more detail in a later article. Also it is important to remember that sun signs are actually named after the zodiac based on the sun position within the zodiac during different times of the year.

Author: Jennifer Schroeder
I am currently a Master's student in Adult Education. I am also a caregiver for my partner who has Adult Rhabdomyosarcoma. Together we run a catalog and online store, Jendee Stores, LLC. We can be found at online at http://www.jendeestores.com I'm writing articles about different things that I have encountered or studied within my life. I have joined the 100 articles by July 1st run so if you have an article idea that you would like me to write please let me know.